Coronavirus | State fixes rates for private ambulances

The Tamil Nadu Health Department has fastened rates for private ambulances to move COVID-19 sufferers to hospitals. Those charging over and above these rates will face instant cancellation of driving licences and the registration of autos, apart from their instant confiscation.

For the affected person transport ambulances, the Department has fastened ₹1,500 for the primary 10 km. For each further kilometre, ₹25 might be charged. For primary life help ambulances with oxygen, the fare is ₹2,000 for the primary 10 km and ₹50 for each further kilometre.

The Department has fastened ₹4,000 for the primary 10 km and ₹100 for each further kilometre for superior life help ambulances fitted with ventilator, defibrillator and multipara displays. The customers can lodge complaints with the State well being helpline 104.

The Project Director of the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project had urged fixing of rates for private ambulances. COVID-19 sufferers, particularly in Chennai, had been shifted from the testing and screening centres to hospitals by way of GVK EMRI 108 ambulances (1,303 autos) primarily based on the calls obtained by way of the emergency response centre.

The transit was executed free by the 108 ambulance service. The official stated that to make sure that extra ambulances had been obtainable, private operators must be permitted to shift sufferers to the designated hospitals in time, and requested the federal government to repair the rates.